It started the same way, with a friendly “where you fron?” Then quickly went to posing for photos.

The hook was the five or six old 8 x 10 black and white photos this woman had in a notebook. Being a photographer, I was, of course, very interested. She took her time showing me while her friend was offering to take me to a merchant (or museum … it was not clear) where I could see more.

When I declined to follow them to this unknown place, the gentleman offered to write the address for me. He quickly moved to the outdoor bar that was very close and asked the bartender for pen and paper. I was getting a little impatient as he took his time writing directions.

Before he was finished, three mojitos appeared on the bar. These two wasted no time grabbing their drinks and started sucking them down as the bartender laid a bill for 12 CUC next to my drink.

I’d been had! What to do now?

I Raised my voice and in my best “John Wayne” and my worst Spanish I said “I didn’t order, I’m not paying”.

The couple looked at me and drank faster. The bartender looked at them. I looked at the bartender. I never touched my drink. With a dismissive hand gesture, I turned and walked away chuckling, telling myself “don’t look back”.